Really Simple Syndication

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a format for delivering regularly changing web content. Many news-related sites, weblogs and other online publishers syndicate their content as an RSS Feed to whoever wants it.

Brief History of RSS

RSS was first invented by Netscape, when they were trying to get into the portal business. They required an XML format that would be easy for them to get news stories and information from other sites and have them automatically added to their site. UserLand Software then picked up RSS version released by Netscape and continued development of their version of RSS (Really Simple Syndication), eventually releasing RSS 2.0.

How to use RSS Feeds?

More and more sites offer RSS feeds, in the form of html, xml codes. You will need an RSS aggregator to properly read your feed.

If you have never used an aggregator or RSS reader before, then here are some quick steps to follow -

1. Download feed reader or RSS aggregator compatible with your operating system
2. Start aggregator and go to add channel/feed and then paste the URL and press ok.
3. Add as many feeds to your RSS aggregator and use it as news reader.

Why use RSS Aggregators?

Aggregators reduce the time and effort needed to regularly check websites for updates, creating a unique information space or "personal newspaper." Once subscribed to a feed, an aggregator is able to check for new content at user-determined intervals and retrieve the update.

The content is sometimes described as being "pulled" to the subscriber, as opposed to "pushed" with email or IM. Unlike recipients of some "pushed" information, the aggregator user can easily unsubscribe from a feed.

List of RSS Aggregators

There are a number of RSS news aggregators out there that automatically suck up RSS files from content providers and present the news in a variety of ways (my.netscape.com, my.userland.com, xmltree.com, moreover.com, SharpReader , Bloglines, FeedDemon, Radio UserLand).

Benefits using RSS

Normally you would have to keep visiting your favorite websites to hunt for new content. With an RSS Feed via a news reader or aggregator you can just sit back and be automatically informed of any new content that is published on your favorite web.